If you’ve ever driven into Memphis hungry, tired, and craving something that tastes like a home-cooked meal instead of another fast-food bag, there’s a good chance someone told you to head to Cracker Barrel. It’s the kind of place where the rocking chairs on the porch are just as much a part of the experience as the food itself — and the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Memphis menu is built to deliver exactly that kind of nostalgic, fill-you-up satisfaction.
This article breaks down what you can actually expect to find on the menu at Memphis-area locations, how the pricing tends to shake out, and a few real-world scenarios that show why this chain has stayed a road-trip and family-dinner staple for decades.
Why Memphis Locations Are a Popular Stop
Memphis sits at a crossroads — literally. Interstates 40, 55, and 240 all cut through or near the city, which means a steady stream of travelers, truckers, and families passing through looking for a reliable, sit-down meal. Cracker Barrel has leaned into that reality for years, and its Memphis-area restaurants (there are several scattered around the metro, including spots near the airport and along major highway exits) tend to see a mix of locals grabbing Sunday breakfast and travelers stopping mid-drive.
Because of that dual audience, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Memphis menu leans heavily into two things: comfort and consistency. You’re not going to find wild culinary experiments here. You’re going to find biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, and pie — the stuff that made this chain a household name in the first place.
Breakfast: The Main Draw
Ask any regular what they order at Cracker Barrel, and there’s a strong chance breakfast comes up first — even if they’re eating dinner. Breakfast is served all day at most locations, which is a huge part of the appeal.
Typical breakfast offerings on the menu include:
- Old Timer’s Breakfast – eggs, hash brown casserole, bacon or sausage, and a biscuit
- Momma’s Pancake Breakfast – a stack of buttermilk pancakes with a side of meat
- Sunrise Sampler – a smaller portion option for lighter appetites
- Country Boy Breakfast – fried ham steak with eggs and grits, a Southern classic
- Uncle Herschel’s Favorite – eggs, hash brown casserole, and your choice of meat
Sides deserve their own mention, because at Cracker Barrel, the sides are often the real stars. Hash brown casserole, buttermilk biscuits, sawmill gravy, and grits show up across nearly every breakfast combo, and regulars will tell you the biscuits alone are worth the trip.
Real-life example: A family driving from Nashville to Memphis for a weekend trip stops in around 9 a.m., tired from the drive. Instead of hunting for a diner downtown, they pull off at the Cracker Barrel near the interstate, order a round of Old Timer’s Breakfasts, and are back on the road within 45 minutes — full, caffeinated, and ready for the Beale Street crowds.
Lunch and Dinner: Southern Comfort in Every Direction
Once the clock rolls past 11 a.m., the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Memphis menu shifts into lunch and dinner mode, though breakfast items remain available for anyone still craving pancakes at 3 p.m.
Popular lunch and dinner categories include:
- Chicken n’ Dumplins – a slow-simmered, homestyle favorite
- Chicken Fried Chicken – hand-breaded and fried, served with gravy
- Meatloaf – a classic comfort plate with two sides
- Country Fried Steak – another Southern staple, breaded and smothered
- Grilled or Fried Catfish – a nod to regional Southern seafood traditions
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken – roasted chicken served with your choice of sides
Every entrée typically comes with a choice of two sides, and the side list is long: mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, fried okra, green beans, turnip greens, and corn muffins are all common picks. This “build your own plate” structure is one of the reasons the menu feels so approachable — you’re not locked into a rigid combo.
Real-life example: A group of coworkers on a business trip to Memphis decides to skip the hotel restaurant and try Cracker Barrel instead. One orders the catfish, another goes for chicken n’ dumplins, and a third picks meatloaf with mac and cheese and turnip greens. Everyone gets something different, and nobody leaves disappointed — which is exactly the kind of low-risk, crowd-pleasing dining experience that makes this menu work so well for groups.
Kids, Lighter Options, and Dietary Considerations
Families make up a big chunk of the customer base, and the menu reflects that. Kids’ meals typically include smaller portions of chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, or pancakes, often paired with a drink and a small treat.
For anyone watching calories or looking for lighter fare, most locations also offer smaller portion sizes on select entrées, along with grilled (rather than fried) protein options. Vegetable plates — where you pick three or four sides instead of a full entrée — are a quiet favorite among regulars who want something lighter but still hearty.
Real-life example: A grandmother visiting Memphis with her grandkids orders a vegetable plate for herself (turnip greens, fried apples, and green beans) while the kids split chicken tenders and mac and cheese. It’s a simple example, but it shows how flexible the menu really is — one table, three very different orders, and everyone’s needs are covered.
Desserts and Sweet Treats Worth Saving Room For
No conversation about this menu is complete without mentioning dessert. Cracker Barrel’s pies have something of a cult following, and Memphis locations carry the same rotating lineup as the rest of the chain.
Common dessert picks include:
- Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
- Fried Apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (technically a side, but often treated like dessert)
- Seasonal pies — chocolate, pecan, and fruit varieties depending on the time of year
- Cobbler served warm, often with ice cream on top
If you’re stopping in Memphis and have any interest in dessert, it’s worth checking what’s currently in rotation, since pie flavors do shift seasonally.
Beverages and the Old Country Store Experience
Sweet tea is practically a requirement in the South, and Cracker Barrel serves it alongside coffee, soft drinks, and lemonade. Coffee, in particular, gets refilled generously, which matters if you’re stopping mid-road-trip and need the caffeine boost before getting back on I-40.
One thing that sets this chain apart from a typical diner is the retail store attached to every location. Before or after eating, guests wander through shelves of nostalgic candy, rocking chairs, home décor, and Southern-themed gifts. It’s not technically part of the food menu, but it’s such a core part of the visit that skipping it feels like missing half the experience.
What Prices Generally Look Like
Menu pricing varies slightly by location and can change over time, but Cracker Barrel has generally positioned itself as an affordable, mid-range sit-down option — more than fast food, less than a typical steakhouse. Breakfast plates tend to fall in a lower price bracket, while dinner entrées like catfish or country fried steak sit a bit higher. Because pricing can shift based on the specific Memphis location and current promotions, it’s always smart to check the posted menu or the official app before you go if budget is a concern.
Tips for Ordering at a Memphis Location
A few practical notes that can make your visit smoother:
- Go early for breakfast if you’re visiting on a weekend — Memphis locations near tourist areas can get a wait, especially around Beale Street or the airport.
- Ask about current specials — seasonal items rotate in and out, and staff can usually tell you what’s new.
- Don’t skip the biscuits — they’re complimentary with most breakfast orders and widely considered one of the best parts of the menu.
- Check for online ordering or call-ahead seating if you’re short on time, since many locations support both.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a Memphis local craving a Sunday breakfast tradition or a traveler passing through on I-40 looking for something better than a drive-thru, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Memphis menu delivers exactly what it promises: hearty, familiar Southern comfort food served without pretension. From biscuits and gravy in the morning to chicken n’ dumplins at night, and a slice of pie to close things out, it’s a menu built around consistency and comfort rather than trends — which is probably why it’s remained a go-to stop for so many people passing through the Bluff City.
If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking the specific location’s current listings, since seasonal items and prices can shift. But the core of the experience — that same reliable, homestyle menu — has stayed remarkably steady no matter which Memphis location you walk into.
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